Tong tool



J. E. BARTRUG Ag. 1, 195o TONG TOOL Filed July 23, 1947 Patented Aug. l, 1950 -U Ni1feof sra-Tes parent oFFlfcs l jroNG 'rdolmik m `Jantiensartlug,iWelite City, Iowa; `Application July 23, 194.7,I seriarwoflizcaovs :1f

` solaires! (ci. r17a-zi'sy` l hel principal object of my vide a simple, positive, and'handy tool'i'or electricians yand mechanics. that is capable of being used to connect with electric wires, pick up small objects, and `for like usetul.,purposes."Ii

` Afurther object of my invention is to provide a manually operable self-closing connector that is capable of being actuated by one hand.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a self -closing tong tool that is economical in manufacture, durable in use, and rened in appearance.

These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

My invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a side view of my tool ready for use.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the device shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of my tool taken on line 3--3 of Fig. l, and more fully illustrates the instruments jaw construction.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of my tongs taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the device taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1, and more fully illustrates the handle portion construction.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a modified form of construction of the jaw portion of the tool and which may be preferable for some types of work.

Clips and like devices have been used to connect with electric wires. Such devices, however, are not capable of getting into small openings to either accomplish contact, nor make positive rigid connection. I have overcome such short comings by providing an elongated self-closing tong tool, and which I will now describe in detail.

The numeral IIJ designates a handle portion of non-metallic material such as wood, plastic, or like, having a concave rear end I I designed to fit the thumb or palm of the user. The numeral I2 designates an elongated metallic bar, rectangular in cross-section, and extending forwardly from the handle portion I0. The numeral I3 designates the upper pointed `jaw portion formed on the free front end of the bar I'2, having downwardly and rearwardly extending teeth I4 on its lower edge, as shown in Fig. 1. The numeral I5 designates a non-metallic sheath of wood. plastic, or like, slidably mounted around the bar I2. As

they bar ,is ,rectangular `in vcross-sectioimlthis sheathfis, prevented from rotation thereon. The numeral IBI designates a coil spring around` the bar I 2, between the forward end ofthe handlef I0 and the rear end of the sheath I5, and engaging retaining collars formed on those two members. By -this construction, the sheath will be yieldingly held forward on the bar I2. A flexible resilient non-metallic tube I'I of rubber or like, embraces the coil spring. The numeral I8 designates the lower pointed metallic jaw having its rear end hinged to the rear portion of the upper jaw I3. The numeral I9 designates upwardly and rearwardly extending teeth on the upper edge of the jaw I8. The numeral 20 designates a downwardly and forwardly extending projection on the forward end of the sheath, which in turn is hinged to a downwardly extending projection 2I on the jaw I8. By this arrangement, when the sheath is reciprocated on the bar, the two jaws will be actuated relative to each other, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1. If the sheath is manually released, the spring will move the sheath forwardly, closing the jaws. To facilitate the manual movement of the sheath against the spring, I have provided two hook portions 22 and 23 on the rear top and bottom, respectively, of the sheath. These hook portions extend outwardly and forwardly and are to accommodate two 1ingers of the user.

Insulation 24 may be placed around the jaws, but not their teeth, as it is desired that electric connection exist from the teeth, to the bar, and to the electric cord 25 secured to the rear of the bar and extending from the handle portion. Due to the elongated construction of the device, it is easy to grasp the tool in one hand and connect the jaws with objects such as electric wires that exist in hard-to-get-at places. The tool may also be used to handle or pick up objects. Due to its insulation it is free from shock to the user. In Fig. 6, the shape of the jaws has been modified for use on special work. In this view, the tooth edge of each of the jaws is concave longitudinally.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of my improved tool without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims, any modied forms of structure or' use of mechanical equivalents which may be reasonably included within their scope.

I claim:

l. In a device of the class described, an elongated bar rectangular in cross-section, a toothed jaw formed on the forward end of said bar, a

gated bar rectangular in cross-section, a toothed jaw formed on the' forward end of said bar, a handle portion secured to the rear end of said bar, a sheath closely embracing said bar and slidable thereon, a coil spring around said bar and positioned between said handle portion and said sheath, a second toothed jaw hinged to said iirst jaw at its rear upper pgrtion and to said sheath at its lower rear portion, a projection on the rear end portion of lsaidA sheath for facilitating its manual movement lagainst the action vof said spring and toward said handle portion, and a flexible memberembracingsaid spring.

, 3. In a deviceof the class described, an elongated bar, a toothed jaw formed onthe forward end of said bar, a handle portion secured to the rear end of said bar, a sheath closely embracing said bar and slidable thereon, a coil spring around said bar and positioned between said handle portion andl said sheath, a second toothed jaw hinged to said `iirst jaw at its rear upper portion and to said sheath at its lower rear portion, and a projectionon the rear end portion of said sheath to facilitate its-manual movement against said spring and'toward said handle portion.

JAMES E'. BARTRUG.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the England 1 1-; of 1910 

